By: Naomi Meints, NVP Fellow

Date: April, 13th, 2023

I recently spent ten days isolated in a cabin in rural Norway with twenty other American college students. The goal was to bring together a group of young Americans from different political and ethnic backgrounds to build connections and have difficult conversations. It was part of a Norwegian international student festival, where the focus for this year was the dreaded topic of polarization. And what better group to study polarization than a handful of Americans? So they shipped off this group of antsy young people, sufficiently bundled up and confused, down a long, dark road to a bright yellow cabin wedged in three feet on fresh snow. Surprisingly, we all managed to make it through this experience alive, surviving both the elements and each other.  

Ultimately, the goal was to discuss the nature of polarization and what we can do about the worrying state of an increasingly divided and radicalized country. While these discussions were important, it was equally important to live next to these people and organically understand these differences, and what it really means to be a young American. We had many difficult “dialogues”: specific discussions based on mutual respect aiming to understand each other on a deeper level. Some of the most important foundational factors I’ve learned include humility and respect, seeing yourself in others, having common goals, and simply having the strength to be open to these dialogues. 

Personally, I care about this country, and I care about religion, an undeniable factor in political and cultural polarization. So, I wanted to share my individual experiences and my hopes for a way forward where we as Christians can foster understanding and connection for the common good. I believe that critiquing can be an act of love, and I think what I learned in this short time can be utilized to take a critical look at polarization between Christians in America, an issue close to my heart. 

I currently live in Minnesota. I was born in, raised in, and will likely die here in Minnesota. I had a fairly unremarkable white, middle-class American childhood, not unlike many of the other kids in the project. I liked to be outside, watch cartoons, and spend sunny days getting scraped up being reckless with friends. I was mainly devoted to Jesus, my mama, and Spongebob Squarepants. My family is descended from Norwegian immigrants, living in farming communities in the Midwest. Growing up with the roots and community I have in this region of the U.S. had a great influence in how I view my cultural identity. Growing up Norwegian-American, my family worked hard to preserve some of these traditions. My deeply American childhood was paired with my family’s unique pieces of culture. I grew up learning how to make a variety of pickled and buttered foods (and a lot of lefse), wore an elaborate Dale of Norway wool sweater for every special occasion, and was surrounded by the frequent use of “uff da” among other accent quirks. Very importantly, my family remained devoutly dedicated to the Lutheran church. 

As a child, I had very little grasp of the concepts of denomination or that there was much difference at all. My family told me to believe in God, that Jesus Christ was his son, and try to be a good person. Beyond that, Lutheranism to me just meant simple churches with stained glass windows, quiet, traditional services every Sunday, and sipping cheap coffee with churchgoers on some colorful basement couch or folding chair. I knew that some of my friends went to different churches or sang different songs, but that was the extent of my denominational knowledge as a child. Of course, every child grows up at some point and has to make decisions about their own spirituality. 

Now that I’m older, I have still chosen to practice Christianity. I believe one’s journey with religion and spirituality is ever-changing and evolving. That being said, in my experience, I have seen how God has lifted me from doubt and struggles, and I have an unwavering belief in the goodness of God. It is what I have faith in. No matter what one’s personal relationship with spirituality may be, we cannot deny that a believer must also confront the public aspect of religion and belief, what it means to be a Christian and a member of society. As I moved away from home, I had newfound freedom, and became a member of the St. Olaf Student Congregation (a Lutheran church). I found comfort and community, going to services on Sundays and events when I could. Yet, I acknowledge what church and community mean to different people in this country is varied and complicated, especially for the young and marginalized. Religion is one of the most powerful forces and influences over people, and is deeply ingrained into American culture. Given the complicated reality of Christian community, we can see our communities and culture become even more divided and polarized. If you asked most Christians what their goals were, I bet that “being a good Christian” would be there. Our in-fighting often boils down to details which determine how each denomination may or may not define you as a “good” Christian. 

I don’t want to make it seem like I believe denominational polarization is a new phenomenon. We exist alongside a history of schisms, crusades, and reformations. But, I fear that this trend can be especially dangerous in our current environment, where political polarization continues to lead to radicalization, violence, and broken families. In a time of unprecedented levels of polarization in our country, we must acknowledge religion as one of the most crucial factors, given the deep and emotional importance to so many. With the rise of this form of polarization, it is important to acknowledge the role our religious views (and actions) have in the current climate. Given this, I want to open a conversation about confronting polarization among Christians in America. 

There is much discussion and research from prominent professionals about political and religious identity in context to polarization. Religious identity plays a great role in where one may find themselves in the conflict and how they interact with their cultural context. I absolutely encourage everyone to look into research and explore conversations about this topic, but I would like to talk about what small steps can be taken currently.

As Christians, we often share similar goals. We must never lose sight of the fact that, despite our different views, lives, and interpretations that divide us, we obey the same Bible. We were made by the same loving God. We are called to be a light in our communities, to care for those in need. Maybe we too often let the differences distract us from our calling in the community, one we can achieve together. Think of how often one can be blinded by one difference or subject, leading to an unintended state of judgment and sin. Through dialogue, we can grow towards those shared goals for being a light in our communities.

For me, I found that the first, and maybe most important step, is entering with humility. Talking through polarization simply cannot happen without one relinquishing the idea that you are wholly and completely right. Committing to humility is what allows those in dialogue with us to feel heard, safe, and open. It is not expected that anyone has to relinquish their views, political or religious, but the violence of polarization cannot end without dismantling the culture of “us vs. them.” As Christians, we are called to be humble. We must not rely on our understanding, we must place our faith in God to reveal to us what we need. Who is to say this may not happen in dialogue with this other you may close off? To learn, and reach anything together, we must be humble with what we are able to know and respect those we disagree with for who they are. Not as the enemy or other as our world tells us to see immediately, but as a fellow child of God. 

While one part of the dialogue is standing for yourself and your experience, the other important part is having the ability to let yourself grow and change. Much of humility is having the ability to admit that you could be wrong. We must look inward at our own communities as well as listen to others. It can be difficult, but necessary, to see how you might have accidentally been part of a problem that hurt another. It is even more difficult to admit it. 

In my own experience, I remain devoted to my roots as a Minnesotan and Lutheran. It is much of who I am, and my culture. But, I can no longer ignore issues within my community. The ELCA remains the whitest denomination in America, with much influence over a state that has become an epicenter for racial reckoning. I began to reflect critically and try to have a habit of examining ways you may not know your communities or structures could hurt others. This is an especially important act of humility for American Christians if we are to look at religious polarization and address those who have been hurt by religious communities. As a member of the Nourishing Vocation Project, we share a goal of improving the wellbeing of congregations, and this means looking critically inward with care to make things better for everyone, inside and outside of your personal community. We can only do this through humility and honest listening to the needs of others. Hearing one’s true feelings (and maybe seeing yourself in them) is needing to understand these needs, ones you might have not otherwise understood fully. 

Seeing the humanity in those we disagree with is the key to this respect. With humility, we must acknowledge each other as flawed, but saved beings. Both must acknowledge each other as equal and valuable in order to achieve the goal of one of these dialogues, understanding each other on a certain topic on a deeper, non-judgmental level. It is not the goal to convince, or be convinced, but to be open and listen truly. This can happen in long, deep conversations, but it is also something you can carry with you as we walk through a polarized culture. Making an active choice to put down your bias and judgements and make an effort to listen with grace is a step towards growth and act of peace, no matter how small. Growth is a process, as is one’s walk with God. Having faith in doing these things with a goal of earnest kindness and peace can have more impact than one thinks, as we all live in this interconnected community. After all, faith the size of a mustard seed can move the mountain. 

The most difficult part of this can be having the strength to actually open these dialogues. But it is important to have them productively with each other, especially those we love the most (but just may not be able to see eye-to-eye with). Opening dialogue with respect and love is always the most important part, to resist the temptation of stubbornness and fighting, no matter where you start or end. We must have the difficult discussions, and have the humility to do so peacefully and with a fully open heart, if we are to be receptive to God’s work in ourselves and others. 

The goal of this trip was to discuss the nature of polarization and what we can do about the worrying state of an increasingly divided and radicalized country, bringing it back to our different communities at home. We must do our best to be active in moving forward in dialogue with each other that includes humility and respect, seeing ourselves in others and common goals, and simply having the strength to be open to these dialogues.